Uttam Chandarana Memorial Maharashtra Veterans Table Tennis Championship: Dandekar triumphs in thriller

Suhas Dandekar of Air India won a five-set thriller to win the men’s 60+ title, in the Uttam Chandarana Memorial Maharashtra State Veterans Table Tennis Championship, co-sponsored by Polycab, at the P.J. Hindu Gymkhana.

Dandekar was stretched all the way by Deepak Dudhane in the most absorbing championship round that went down to the wire. After winning the opening game in a close finish, Dandekar endured a strong challenge from a determined Dudhane before snatching an 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 win in a nail-biter.

In another tight final contest, K.K. Rai overcame Prakash Kelkar of Bank of India 11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 for the men’s 60+ title.

Zarir Khandadia of P.J. Hindu Gymkhana experienced mixed fortunes when he clinched the 70+ title, but was denied a double by Pinakin Sampat who won the 65+ crown.

Dr. Anagha Joshi of Sion Hospital came up with a late burst to prevail over Suhasini Bakre 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 15-13 for the 40+ crown, in the most exciting women’s final.

In another close final, Mangala Saraf beat Sunanda Rao 11-9, 11-6, 14-12 for the 50+ title, after surviving a tight opening game and snatching the third over extra points.

The winners will represent Maharashtra at the forthcoming Veterans Nationals in Dharamsala.

The late Uttam Chandarana was a doyen of Indian table tennis who is remembered for defeating world champion Ivan Andreadis of Czechoslovakia in 1954 and won the men’s singles national titles in 1943 (Hyderabad), 1948 (Colombo), 1949 (Hyderabad) and 1954 (Baroda). He represented India at the World and Asian Championships whilst being captain of the Indian team in 1952 when the World Championships were held in Mumbai.

Results: Finals: Men 40+: Dr. Nitin Toshniwal (Solapur) bt Abhay Mehta 11-4, 11-7, 11-5. 50+: K.K. Rai bt Prakash Kelkar (BoI) 11-5, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9. 60+: Suhas Dandekar (Air India) bt Deepak Dudhane 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9. 65+: Pinakin Sampat bt Zarir Khandadia (PJ Hindu Gym) 11-4, 11-5, 11-8. 70+: Zarir Khandadia bt R.D. Rao 11-5, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9.

Women: 50+: Mangala Saraf bt Sunanda Rao 11-9, 11-6, 14-12. 60+: Preeti Pardesi bt Manisha Bodas 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8. 40+: Dr. Anagha Joshi (Sion Hospital) bt Suhasini Bakre 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 15-13.